Man who died in possible murder-suicide in Beverly Hills was recently separated from his wife, a neighbor says

The man who died in a possible murder-suicide in Beverly Hills on Wednesday had been unhappy about his recent separation from his wife, a neighbor said Thursday.

The Los Angeles County coroner’s office identified the man as Vincent Charles Maggio, 39, of Beverly Hills. A woman was found dead with him at an apartment in the 300 block of South Elm Drive; her identity was not revealed, pending notification of next of kin, but according to Beverly Hills police, she was in her 30s.

Jessica Coppolo, who lived in the building, told the Los Angeles Times that she was in her apartment Wednesday afternoon when she heard three gunshots ring out. At first she doubted they were shots, but then she thought of Maggio: "He committed suicide," she guessed.

Police have described the deaths as a possible murder-suicide and said the two bodies bore gunshot wounds, but they have not indicated who might have wielded the firearm.

Coppolo said Maggio, a personal trainer and actor, lived across the courtyard from her at the apartment complex. She said Maggio had been devastated since he and his wife separated about three months ago. His wife was staying with a friend, but occasionally the couple would meet; for example, the pair had dinner together on Valentine's Day, Coppolo said.

In the weeks leading up to Wednesday's deaths, Maggio moped, chain-smoking outside and dwelling on his relationship and its grim prospects, Coppolo said. She said she talked with him daily, and at one point referred him and his wife to a couples counselor.

"Nothing was changing. Nothing was getting better," Coppolo said of Maggio's mood. "But it never had me concerned."

Shortly after the gunshots rang out, Maggio's teenage son arrived at the apartment and found the bodies of his father and the woman, Coppolo said. Police arrived and began cordoning off the area.

Coppolo said Maggio had occasionally argued with his son -- doors would slam sometimes -- but she didn't know him to be violent.

"He was hurting," Coppolo said. "He was a good guy. He had a good heart. I just never saw it coming."